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Sometimes the only way to face stupidity is to laugh. That seems to be the case with the tampon tax. You may be aware of the tax situation; while “necessities” or “non-luxury” purchases like groceries are exempt from sales tax, items that are considered to be essential to a person’s survival, only five states have […]

A few flags are still strung up on porches a month after Fourth of July. Patriotism surged more deeply in my chest, however, when standing on foreign soil. The sense of otherness surrounding me reaffirmed my natal identity that I had, ironically, chucked aside to integrate into another culture. It was not until I was […]

For me, summer is about fresh food, warm sun, and wholesome fun. Savoring the garden harvest and frolicking in sunshine are enjoyable in themselves, but having a good time doesn’t always coincide so nicely with our environmental values. Toys ‘R’ Us is a big box of plastic-molded and battery-operated diversion. Big-boy toys gulp diesel. Eyes […]

You’re not the only creature out there frolicking under the summer sun. If you did any backyard gardening in June, you probably got up and close to the creepy-crawlies in our soil. It seemed to have rained all of June in Iowa, forming nice little breeding ponds for mosquitoes and quite a buzz around the […]

If camping is part of your family’s summer routine, or if you’re planning to venture out for the first time, this is a great chance to take a green approach to your camping adventure. With the very “nature” of the outdoors, you would think that camping would automatically be an eco activity, but that’s not […]